UC-South Florida scouting report

University of Cincinnati football head coach Luke Fickell on Tuesday addressed members of the media. He touched on the team's Saturday loss to nationally-ranked UCF in a rain-shortened game, as well as the Bearcats' upcoming trip to play South Florida.
The Enquirer/Patrick Brennan

UC's Hayden Moore rushes down the field and through UCF's defense during the UC vs. UCF Knights game at Nippert Stadium on Saturday Oct. 7, 2017.(Photo: Phil Didion)

The Bearcats will be hard pressed to make a dent in USF's run defense, which is ranked No. 2 in the country (74.4 yards against per game). UC redshirt freshman Gerrid Doaks (223 yards, 4.4 yards per carry, 2 touchdowns) continues to pace the Bearcats running backs. He also showed a flash of versatility last weekend against Central Florida as he popped out of the backfield for his first-ever receiving touchdown. Versatility is something the Bearcats could use as the rushing attack – ranked No. 111 in the country (102.2 yards per game) – has lacked potency through six contests. Junior quarterback Hayden Moore could provide a spark, though, as he's coming off a career-best 75-yard, two touchdown performance against UCF.

When UC passes

Junior receiver Khalil Lewis leads all UC receivers with 31 catches for 325 receiving yards and four touchdown catches – all team highs. The Miami native will look to make his brief return to Florida a triumphant one. Lewis and senior Devin Gray (16 catches, 267 yards, one score) provide a decent one-two receiving punch for Moore, who's leading a UC air attack ranked the No. 52 passing offense in America (229.2 ypg). If only on paper, the Bearcats appear somewhat evenly matched with USF's No. 45-ranked passing defense (219.4 ypg).

Senior dual-threat quarterback Quinton Flowers is, by UC head coach Luke Fickell's own admission, one of the best players the Bearcats will play this season. On the ground, Flowers has gone for at least 57 yards every game this season, including 106 against Illinois of the Big Ten Conference. In the Bulls' last outing – a Sept. 30 win over ECU – Flowers danced his way to 93 yards and a score.

Flowers isn't even USF's biggest threat when toting the ball. That claim is shared by seniors Darius Tice (438 yards, 5.8 yards per carry, seven touchdowns) and D'Ernest Johnson (432 yards, 4.7 yards per carry, four touchdowns). In sum, these players help make up a rushing offense ranked No. 5 nationally (309.2 yards per game).

When USF passes

Flowers can beat you with his arm, too. His decision making has largely been effective in 2017 as he's sporting a touchdown-interception ratio of 10-2. He should also eclipse 1,000 passing yards for the year against UC (currently 934 yards on the season). When Flowers drops back, keep an eye on No. 11. That's Bulls receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and he's Flowers' favorite target (22 catches, 322 yards, three touchdowns). Junior receiver Tyree McCants has roughly half the production of Valdes-Scantling (nine catches for 191 yards) but also has three touchdowns on the season. Generally, USF's passing game can be contained. It's ranked just No. 97 in America.

Special teams

UC redshirt sophomore Ryan Jones is the Bearcats acting placekicker at the moment. A kickoff specialist at season's outset, injury and open competition saw Jones assume starting placekicking responsibilities last weekend against UCF. His body of work is small, going 1-for-2 on point-after conversions and hitting a 26-yard field goal on his only attempt against the Knights. South Florida generally excels on special teams. The Bulls' senior kicker Emilio Nadelman is 10 of 11 on field goals tries this season and 26 of 28 on PAT attempts.

Pat's Gameplan: Punch USF in the mouth early

The Bulls haven't played since Sept. 30 against East Carolina, which presents the Bearcats with a chance to jump out early against the hosts as USF could be sluggish coming out of its long break from game action. At a minimum, UC must at least match the Bull's early intensity, if not assert itself early in a game against a potent offense. The Bearcats don't figure to fare well in a shootout, but if it comes to that, the best opportunity to put a dent in the scoreboard would seem to be in the early stages of the game. UC's struggling offensive line is more likely to get worn down as the game progresses as opposed to the opposite occurring, too.

Make USF beat you through the air

Given the Bulls' ability to gash teams on the ground, UC's defense would be best served by stacking the box and clogging up the running lanes. USF can beat you through the air if you let them, but it's the lesser of two evils as the Bulls' passing game is generally regarded nationally as average. UC's defense could use a breakout game in pass defense, too.

Need extra motivation? Think of the postseason

At 2-4 overall and looking listless of late, UC needs to finish 4-2 over the second half of the season to attain bowl eligibility. A postseason berth of any kind appears unlikely at present, but a win against the nationally-ranked Bulls would put the Bearcats in a more manageable situation. A win against a ranked opponent would also essentially ensure a six-win UC teams doesn't get snubbed on a bowl bid (uncommon and always unlikely, but always a possibility when you're on college football's version of the postseason bubble).

Number of note

2 - as in USF's two runnings back rated amongst the top 50 rushers nationally, according to the NCAA. Tice and Johnson are the Nos. 48 and 49 runnings back in the nation based on total rushing yards with 438 and 432, respectively.

Prediction

USF 49, UC 14

Head coach Charlie Strong's USF side appears to be the class of the so-called "Group of 6" football programs. The Bulls are careening toward a coveted New Year's Day bowl appearance, which is awarded to the highest-ranked non-Power 5 team. They could stumble on their path to that end, but that won't happen against UC, which is simply trying to steady itself in the midst of an unexpected and unsavory three-game losing streak. USF on the road has the potential to get ugly for the Bearcats.